NCAAW: Fair’s transfer to Syracuse may have implications for WNBA Draft

Differences in levels of competition are always a hot debate when it comes to WNBA Draft prospect evaluation. It’s no secret that players from Power 5 programs tend to get extended looks as draftees while mid-major players generally face more of an uphill battle to even get noticed, let alone drafted.

Syracuse’s Dyaisha Fair, formerly a standout at the University of Buffalo, has the opportunity to blur these lines, going from regularly stuffing the stat sheet as one of the MAC’s premier players to being asked to lead the rebuild of a once-proud program in the ACC. The 5-foot-5 Fair transferred to Syracuse to continue playing for Felisha Legette-Jack, who accepted the open head coaching position at her alma mater after 10 years at Buffalo.

It was an important decision for all parties. Legette-Jack now has the opportunity to continue coaching a player whose name is firmly etched in the Buffalo record books as she takes over a Syracuse program that went 11-18 last season, while Fair — whose goal was to transfer to a Power Five program regardless — is now on a stage where she can prove once and for all that she belongs alongside the country’s biggest names.

The potential payoff for Fair is huge, though a good deal of how she’s perceived as a WNBA Draft prospect could hinge on how well she leads the Orange during the 2022-23 season. Her statistical resume is impressive to say the least, so let’s take a look at that before diving into the potential impact Fair can make at Syracuse.

Honors and statistics

Unlike most of the big-name players in the 2023 WNBA Draft class, Fair wasn’t commonly listed as a top recruit coming out of high school. She quickly proved that to be an oversight, recording a spectacular freshman season at Buffalo highlighted by per-game averages of 22 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.8 steals, which earned her MAC Freshman of the Year honors.

Fair’s all-around contributions to Buffalo continued for the next two seasons as she put up massive numbers, averaging at least 23 points per game in both seasons while also leading the Bulls in assists and steals. During her time at Buffalo, Fair made regular appearances on position-specific national award watch lists, such as the Dawn Staley Award and Nancy Lieberman Award. She was also nominated for Her Hoop Stats’ Becky Hamon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award three times.

Fair, Syracuse both have much to gain during 2022-23 season